Adventures in Baby Food

We went to the new Whole Foods store today which honestly wasn't anything special compared to the last, although they did have more selections in the organic baby food.  Lately I have been getting the pre-made baby food as the quick and easy back up when I don't make it myself.  This "making it myself" thing has only been going on the last month or two and some days it sucks!

Today I spent about 2 hours peeling, steaming, and baking fruits and veggies for Mia's meals for the week.  Mia was napping and so was daddy and as I was scooping zucchini into ice trays I was thinking...is this really worth it?!  After spitting out every bite of butternut squash I made a couple weeks ago I vowed to only make her fruits and sweet potatoes (which I know she likes).  But the opening of the new store and the Franklin Farmer's market make me want to keep trying. 

Other than the obvious health benefits of making her food there are parts that I actually enjoy.  #1 I love to shop and try new things and it's become so exciting to grocery shop lately.  It's not as fun to grab the same ol baby food varieties (for me or Mia).  Instead, I feel like I am learning so much about the food world by making my grocery trips more of an adventure than a chore. 

I have tried and enjoyed all sorts of vegetables and fruits I never knew I liked (some I never knew existed).  Mia has also been exposed to all sorts of new flavors of the individual foods and my experiments in mixing them.  Of course, there have been many flops...like the fruit (I have no clue what it's called) I bought earlier in the week only to cut into it and have it basically explode on me.  And it's the flops that teach me little lessons in cooking.  Writing down the names of the mysterious fruits and veggies I buy (for Google purposes) is something I learned after tossing the exploding fruit. 

I have also taken on a whole new interest in my own nutrition.  I was never the organic type, nor did I cook things from scratch.  But, as with many other things baby related, I want the best for my daughter and in turn try to improve my own poor habits.  I want to be able to sit down for dinner and feel wholeheartedly confident that what I have on my plate can be chopped up for Mia to share and benefit from.  I admit, I say this as I splurged on McDonalds chicken nuggets (one of my guilty pleasures) yesterday, but isn't the fact that I feel guilty a step in the right direction? 

So, although I had to spend the extra time cooking and prepping this afternoon it's well worth it.  I hope I can continue to put Mia's health and nutrition on the forefront and learn from my little adventures in baby food.

Busy Bees

I have been told more and more lately that I always have something going on.  "Why don't you just slow down and give Mia a break?" was my sister's  most recent question.  My husband will sometimes ask, "So what's on the agenda this week?" in an exasperated tone.  I try not to take these questions/remarks as insults as I try to explain why it is important that I not miss this baby shower, birthday party or playdate.  First of all, Mia actually enjoys getting out and doing new things.  She is a people person and is much happier observing (the sometimes chaotic) new scenery than she is playing with the same ol' toys in the same ol' house. In fact, I found myself driving to the park to swing Mia (about a 1/4 mile away) before dinner last night because there was a 30 minute window and she was going nuts sitting around the house as was I trying to find something to entertain her and it worked like a charm!

I also find myself explaining why my day sucked because there was nothing to do. Since 90% of indoor crafts (for those under 2yrs) are either too advanced, too messy, or too expensive (let alone choking hazards) I choose not to tackle them by myself.   I am by no means lazy but neither am crazy enough to have a finger painting session with yogurt or other food products -as suggested by a magazine for my age group- in the house (remember I don't keep the kids in my own home).  I would have to hose off the 5 ft perimeter afterward because these girls don't mess around with throwing things.  I am also not okay with sitting the kids in front of the television for most of the day...and believe me some times I would love to because they like it just as much as I like the break.  However, I have that little angel on my shoulder waving her finger, so I limit tv to times of desparation or when I need to cook, clean, etc. without a kid on my hip. 

So, I have found that the best way to stay sane and keep the girls stimulated and happy is to go, go, go.  Luckily we live in a great city for this type of lifestyle because there are so many things to see and do in the Nashville area.  We have the best parks, libraries, museums and randomness like the Hatcher Dairy Farm tour we are doing later this month.  We are also involved in a couple playgroups with many other moms who have kids in the same age range and we get together weekly to have the adult convo and let the kids have an opportunity to play with each other (the different toys are the best part) and explore new places.

Sure this has become a bit hectic at times like when I schedule everything on top of one another and can't remember where we are supposed to be when.  It has also made it depressing for me when I don't have anywhere to take the girls during the day and I am dying to put Barney on.  But all in all my busy mom lifestyle has given me a way out of getting lost in my sweats.  I have a reason to put my hair in rollers and put makeup on in the morning.  I look forward to seeing new things and meeting new people.  And this has become a very, very happy time in my life.  Not only do I get to spend everyday watching my baby girl blossom but I have made special mom friends that I know will be a big part of our lives as well as taking a stronger hold on the importance of spending time with our family.  I want Mia to have a strong network of close friends and family when she gets older.  I can't wait to hear her say "we have been friends since we were in diapers"!